A man in Florida, Harrel Braddy, originally sentenced to death in 2007 for the murder of a 5-year-old girl, may face a new sentencing due to changes in Florida’s death penalty laws. In 1998, Braddy was found guilty of throwing the child into waters with alligators. Recent legal shifts could lead to reconsideration of his death sentence.
Key Facts
Harrel Braddy was convicted of murder in 2007 and sentenced to death.
The crime involved the murder of a 5-year-old girl, Quatisha Maycock, and the attempted murder of her mother in 1998.
Braddy threw Quatisha into alligator-infested water in the Everglades.
Revisions in Florida's death penalty laws could allow for a new sentencing.
A 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling deemed Florida's death penalty system unconstitutional as it did not require a jury's unanimous decision for the death sentence.
Florida later changed the law to require a unanimous jury recommendation for a death sentence.
As of 2023, Florida law allows for a death sentence recommendation with a 8-4 jury vote.
Braddy's case is part of a trend of resentencing cases in Florida's Miami-Dade County.
Millions of Americans received warnings about dangerous driving conditions due to dense fog across multiple states. Dense fog can cause poor visibility and lead to traffic accidents, so the National Weather Service issued advisories urging motorists to drive with caution. The fog affected at least 12 states and was especially prevalent during early morning hours.
Key Facts
Dense fog advisories were issued for at least 12 states, including California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and New York.
The fog reduced visibility in some areas to one-quarter mile or less, making driving hazardous.
The National Weather Service advised drivers to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
The Gulf states experienced fog ahead of a cold front, with warnings that dense fog could return.
The fog also affected waterways, prompting warnings to boaters to use fog signals and proper navigation tools.
The fog advisories were expected to expire by late Wednesday morning as temperatures rose and dispersed the fog.
Meteorologists warned that similar fog conditions could occur on other mornings if the weather stays the same.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities pay for heating and cooling costs in the U.S. Some states allow applications all year, while others have specific application periods. Eligibility for LIHEAP often depends on household income.
Key Facts
LIHEAP helps with energy bills, mostly for heating and cooling costs.
The program is funded by the federal government and managed by states and local agencies.
Eligibility usually depends on household income and is often targeted at vulnerable groups like seniors and families with children.
Application rules and funding levels can vary between states.
Some states accept applications year-round, while others have specific timeframes.
Missing the application period in states with limited windows can delay assistance.
Each state has different dates for when applications are open or limited.
Social media posts from Cea Weaver, appointed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have surfaced where she criticizes homeownership and gentrification. Her father's involvement in managing a rental property has also been highlighted. These revelations have brought attention to Mamdani's staffing choices and potential implications for his policies.
Key Facts
Cea Weaver was appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani as the director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.
Weaver's past social media posts describe homeownership as linked to "white supremacy" and gentrification as "structural racism."
Her social media accounts are currently deactivated.
Claims have been made that her father, Stewart Weaver, manages a rental property.
Weaver previously stated on social media that the government has a right to seize private property.
The New York Times has reported that Weaver has been vetted for her position.
Jon Levine criticized the tone of Weaver's comments, comparing them to how other racial discussions would be perceived.
Public scrutiny of Mamdani's staffing decisions continues as he begins his term as mayor.
Hundreds of former teachers in Fresno, California, lost their medical coverage after a contract between health insurer Aetna and Community Medical Centers expired. These retirees relied on Medicare Advantage plans, which are now disrupted, prompting them to look for new coverage options.
Key Facts
Hundreds of former teachers in Fresno, California, lost medical coverage when a contract expired.
The contract was between Aetna and Community Medical Centers and expired on December 31.
These teachers were on Medicare Advantage plans, which are a type of private Medicare.
They now need alternative coverage and must contact Aetna Member Services for options.
Medicare Advantage plans can face issues like doctors being out-of-network or needing prior authorization.
The breakdown in contract negotiations affects these retirees' access to their usual doctors and could increase out-of-pocket costs.
The school district is working to find a solution but advises retirees to act quickly to avoid uninsured periods.
Laura Loomer criticized President Trump for meeting New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling it a "huge mistake." Loomer disagreed with Mamdani’s choice for a new tenant protection official, Cea Weaver, whose past controversial tweets resurfaced. President Trump described the meeting with Mamdani as "great," but Loomer and some others on the political right were unhappy.
Key Facts
Laura Loomer criticized President Trump's meeting with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House.
Loomer called the meeting a mistake and was concerned about Mamdani's policies and his choice for a housing official.
Cea Weaver, appointed by Mamdani, is at the center of controversy due to her past tweets about homeownership and white supremacy.
Loomer has been a frequent critic of Mamdani, particularly noting his identity as a Muslim and Democratic Socialist.
Some on the political right are worried about Mamdani’s housing policies, viewing them as steps toward socialism.
Despite criticism, President Trump described his meeting with Mamdani as positive.
Loomer expressed that she is often dissatisfied with some of Trump's decisions during his second term.
A mother named Amanda Gouveia from Virginia realized her toddler, Avery, chose plastic princess heels as her shoes for a road trip instead of appropriate footwear. The mishap was discovered when they stopped at a service station, providing an amusing moment that gained significant attention online. The video of Avery in her dress-up heels has gone viral, receiving millions of views and likes.
Key Facts
Amanda Gouveia is from Virginia and has three daughters.
Avery, the three-year-old, chose plastic princess heels as shoes for a trip.
The family noticed Avery's shoe choice when stopping at a service station.
Amanda shared a video on Instagram, which went viral with 15 million views and over 417,000 likes.
The video shows Avery's older sisters in pajamas, while Avery wears her dress-up heels.
Most three-year-olds can put on their own shoes, but may not choose appropriately.
Avery’s choice received amused reactions both in person and online.
The incident added humor to their trip without causing delays.
The U.S. Army announced that female drill sergeants will stop wearing the bush hat and, like their male counterparts, will now wear the campaign hat. This decision was based on surveys showing preference for the campaign hat and aims to standardize uniforms across gender lines.
Key Facts
The female bush hat was introduced in 1972 for female drill sergeants.
Both male and female drill sergeants will now wear the same campaign hat.
Roughly 70% of drill sergeants surveyed preferred the campaign hat over the bush hat.
More than 60% believed the campaign hat looks more professional.
Sergeant Major Melissa Solomon supported the change for better product quality and uniformity.
The campaign hat has been part of the U.S. Army since 1872 and officially for drill sergeants since 1964.
Over 38,000 women have worn the bush hat since its introduction.
The change aligns with the Army's aim for a single standard in the drill sergeant uniform.
Andrea Yates drowned her five children in 2001 and was initially convicted of murder, but her conviction was later overturned because she was found not guilty by reason of insanity, primarily due to postpartum psychosis. Her lawyer recently recalled their first meeting, providing insight into her mental state and discussing connections to preacher Michael Woroniecki's teachings, which some believe could have influenced her actions. A new documentary explores these aspects, including Yates' mental health and the intense religious beliefs she followed.
Key Facts
Andrea Yates drowned her five children in 2001.
She was initially convicted of murder, but her conviction was overturned in 2005.
A second trial found her not guilty by reason of insanity.
Yates has been in a maximum-security psychiatric hospital for about 20 years.
She suffered from severe postpartum psychosis, including delusions with religious themes.
Her lawyer, George Parnham, shared that Yates tried to scratch "666" off her head.
A documentary examines connections between Yates' religious beliefs and her mental health.
Michael Woroniecki, whose teachings some say influenced Yates, denies having a cult or influence over her actions.
A new bill proposes awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley. This comes after Shirley exposed a fraud case involving Minnesota's social services, leading to significant political impacts, including Governor Tim Walz's decision not to seek reelection. The investigation into the fraud has led to numerous charges and convictions.
Key Facts
Nick Shirley may receive the Congressional Gold Medal for exposing fraud in Minnesota's social services.
The fraud case involved misuse of funds in the "Feeding Our Future" scheme, costing taxpayers around $250 million.
So far, 57 people have been convicted, and 78 others charged in connection with the fraud.
Nick Shirley posted a viral video on social media with over 111 million views about the scandal.
Republican Representative Eli Crane of Arizona introduced the bill to award Shirley the medal.
Governor Tim Walz decided not to run for a third term, a decision he partly attributes to handling state program fraud.
The Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to notable figures like George Washington and Rosa Parks.
Recent tensions have arisen surrounding anti-Somali rhetoric, connected to the fraud investigation narrative.
Wisconsin lawmakers are working on a new bill to make it illegal for anyone under 18 to get married, with no exceptions. This effort is in line with actions taken by 16 other states and several U.S. territories to end child marriage. The bill aims to remove current rules that allow 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with parental permission and addresses legal issues faced by married minors.
Key Facts
A proposed bill would prohibit anyone under 18 from marrying in Wisconsin.
Current Wisconsin law permits 16 and 17-year-olds to marry if they have parental consent.
The bill seeks to remove exceptions that allow such marriages and also address related legal issues, like annulments.
The legislation was introduced by Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Mark Spreitzer and Representative Ann Roe.
As of 2018, 16 states and several U.S. territories have banned child marriage by setting the minimum marriage age to 18.
The bill aims to protect minors, who are often vulnerable to abuse when married young.
Past attempts to pass similar legislation in Wisconsin have failed to secure committee hearings or votes.
No hearing is currently scheduled for this bill, and its future in the Republican-led Legislature is uncertain.
Almost half of American homeowners are thinking about moving because of the increasing risk of extreme weather events, according to a study by Kin. Many homeowners are worried about natural disasters and rising home insurance costs, which have been increasing faster than inflation. This concern is particularly significant in disaster-prone states like Florida and California.
Key Facts
49% of American homeowners are considering moving due to the risk of extreme weather events.
93% of homeowners expect extreme weather events to damage their homes in the next three years.
From 1980 to 2024, the U.S. experienced 403 weather and climate disasters, each causing at least $1 billion in damage.
Home insurance premiums have increased almost 70% across the U.S. in the past five years.
80% of homeowners expect home prices and maintenance costs to rise further by 2026.
49% say home insurance costs heavily influence their home buying decisions.
Many homeowners are avoiding states like Florida and California due to climate risks.
A judge has ordered prosecutor Lindsey Halligan to explain why she continues to call herself a U.S. attorney, even though her appointment was previously declared unlawful. The court wants a written response from Halligan within a week, as using this title may lead to disciplinary actions. This situation is part of ongoing legal disputes involving the Department of Justice under President Trump.
Key Facts
A judge directed Lindsey Halligan to justify her title as a U.S. attorney after her appointment was ruled unlawful.
Halligan's appointment was deemed unconstitutional in November, but she continues to use the title.
Judge David Novak issued an order asking for Halligan's explanation within seven days.
Halligan faced controversy after filing charges against President Trump's critics.
The Department of Justice has appealed the ruling but the appeal does not prevent enforcement of the original decision.
Halligan worked on President Trump's legal defense in a separate case about handling government documents.
The ongoing appeal by the Justice Department on her appointment is still pending.
FBI Director Kash Patel experienced a technical error during a live interview on Fox & Friends. An aide's off-camera voice was caught on a live microphone while attempting to adjust lighting for Patel’s video appearance. The incident received attention on social media, adding to recent criticisms faced by Patel.
Key Facts
Kash Patel is the FBI Director.
During a Fox & Friends interview, a hot-mic incident occurred involving an aide adjusting lighting.
The incident did not disrupt the interview but was noticed on social media platforms.
Patel has faced criticism over several issues, including handling past investigations and alleged personal use of resources.
A clip of the mishap shared online was viewed over 1.4 million times.
The social media response included comments from critics of the Trump administration and from both political sides.
Kash Patel praised President Trump's leadership during the interview segment.
An audit found problems in how the Minnesota Department of Human Services manages its behavioral health grants. The audit revealed that the department did not meet most of the requirements for these grants and lacked proper control over the funds.
Key Facts
The audit reviewed behavioral health grants given between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services distributed over $426 million in grants during this period.
More than half of the reviewed grant agreements had missing or late progress reports.
Officials did not conduct 27 out of 67 required monitoring visits, with documentation missing for others.
63 of 71 reviewed grant agreements showed issues with financial accounting.
Some documents were reportedly backdated or created after the audit began.
A grant manager approved a $672,000 grant and later began consulting services for the recipient.
73% of surveyed department employees reported they did not have enough training to manage grants.
In 2025, more Americans moved to Oregon than any other state, according to a study by United Van Lines. Domestic migration, or people moving across state lines within the U.S., has slowed since its peak during the pandemic but still shows a trend of moving toward smaller, more affordable areas instead of expensive cities.
Key Facts
Oregon had the highest percentage of people moving in, with 65% of moves being inbound.
California had one of the highest rates of people leaving, with only 42.2% inbound migration.
New Jersey had the highest outbound migration rate at 62%.
States with growing tech and healthcare fields, like Oregon, attracted many movers seeking jobs.
United Van Lines categorized states as "high inbound" if more than 55% of moves were into the state and "high outbound" if more than 55% were out of the state.
Smaller and cheaper towns such as Eugene-Springfield, Oregon, and Wilmington, North Carolina, were top destinations.
Metro areas with high outbound moves included Hagerstown, Maryland, and Nassau-Suffolk, New York.
A man named Jeff Olson shared his experience on a flight where he was asked to switch seats, leading to an uncomfortable situation with a fellow passenger. The woman next to him took off her shoes and socks, almost touching him with her feet. Olson shared his story and a photo online, which received significant attention.
Key Facts
Jeff Olson was flying home from Chicago to Los Angeles with American Airlines.
He agreed to switch his seat to an exit row while ensuring it remained a window seat.
The woman next to him removed her shoes and socks, then placed her feet close to him.
Olson took a photo of the incident and shared it on his social media account.
The post gained over 2,200 likes and sparked mixed reactions from commenters.
Some commenters agreed with Olson, while others defended the woman's actions.
Olson mentioned he didn't confront her directly to avoid a scene during the long flight.
A woman was in the process of getting divorced when her estranged husband, Kevin, fell seriously ill and was hospitalized. Despite their separation, she became his main support during his medical crisis and had to make difficult decisions when his condition worsened. Eventually, Kevin passed away, and she was responsible for planning his funeral.
Key Facts
The woman and Kevin were in the middle of a divorce, with the final hearing set for September 25, 2017.
Kevin, who required urgent medical attention, went to the hospital on September 1, 2017, with a serious condition called liver failure.
The woman supported Kevin in the hospital by answering medical questions and staying by his side despite their separation.
Kevin went into cardiac arrest on September 3 and never regained consciousness due to severe brain damage.
The woman made decisions about Kevin's medical care and his end-of-life wishes, including when to remove life support.
Kevin passed away on September 8, with family present.
The woman planned Kevin's funeral, drawing on conversations they'd had about their wishes.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has not shown major changes after the U.S. captured Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro. Although some past presidents saw popularity boosts after military actions, polls indicate only slight differences in approval for Trump around this event.
Key Facts
President Trump remains the U.S. President during this period.
The U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026.
Trump's approval rating increased slightly in some polls but didn't change significantly overall.
In the Reuters/Ipsos poll, approval went from 39% in December to 42% in early January.
The YouGov/Economist poll showed no significant change, with approval around 39% before and after the capture.
Rasmussen Reports showed approval steady in the mid-40s percentage range.
Historical context suggests that military operations can influence presidential approval, but major shifts were not observed with this event.
Trump was seen as focused on peace before this operation, and public opinion remains divided.
President Donald Trump showed off a new pink hairstyle during a speech at a Republican event at the Kennedy Center, which was renamed in his honor. During his 84-minute speech, Trump warned Republicans about potential impeachment if they lose the upcoming midterm elections and praised a U.S. military operation. Social media users reacted strongly to his pink hair.
Key Facts
President Trump displayed a new pink hairstyle at a Republican event.
The event took place at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, recently renamed in Trump's honor.
Trump warned Republicans they might impeach him if the GOP doesn't win the midterm elections.
He praised a U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Trump mentioned the idea of running for a third term as President.
The new hairstyle became a topic of ridicule and commentary on social media.
Trump's hairstyles have attracted public interest and commentary in the past.
